Quantum Calligraphy: Writing Single-Photon Emitters in a Two-Dimensional Materials Platform

Abstract

We present a paradigm for encoding strain into two-dimensional materials (2DMs) to create and deterministically place single-photon emitters (SPEs) in arbitrary locations with nanometer-scale precision. Our material platform consists of a 2DM placed on top of a deformable polymer film. Upon application of sufficient mechanical stress using an atomic force microscope tip, the 2DM/polymer composite deforms, resulting in formation of highly localized strain fields with excellent control and repeatability. We show that SPEs are created and localized at these nanoindents and exhibit single-photon emission up to 60 K, the highest temperature reported in these materials. This quantum calligraphy allows deterministic placement and real time design of arbitrary patterns of SPEs for facile coupling with photonic waveguides, cavities, and plasmonic structures. In addition to enabling versatile placement of SPEs, these results present a general methodology for imparting strain into 2DM with nanometer-scale precision, providing an invaluable tool for further investigations and future applications of strain engineering of 2DM and 2DM devices.

Keywords: atomic force microscopy; single-photon emitter; strain engineering; tungsten diselenide; two-dimensional materials.